Flushing tank



0t.6,v1925. d l 1,556,100

N. J. GONDOLF Y FLUSI-IINGl TANK Filed June 6, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet l A TTUHNEYS Oct. 6, -1925. 1,556,100

N. JQ GONDOLF FLUSHING TANK l Filed June 6 1922 3 Shets-Sheot 2 Oct. 6,1925. 1,556,100

N. J. GONDOLF FLUSHING TANK Filed June e. 1922 s sheets-sheer s,4

iatented Oct. 6, 1925.

NICHOLAS JOSEPH GONDOLF, OF ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

PATENT OFFICE.

FLUSHING TANK.

Application led .Tune 6,

To ally whom it may concert/L:

Be it known that I, Nici-roms Josnrrr GoNnoLr, citizen of the United States, and resident of New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flushing Tanks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flushing tanks and more particularly to water controlling means therefor.

The invention forming the subject matter of this application is an improvement over the construction illustrated in my several prior patents and is especially designed for successful operation in places where the waterpressure is low. However, the invention is also designed for operation in connection with high as well as low pressure systems.

Also the invention aims to provide a flushing device which is extremely quiet in its operation and which may be installed after thel tank is set, without elaborate alterations.

A further object is to provide a flushing device having novel means whereby the same will operate when the presure returns to a predetermined point, so that if the pressure temporarily drops below a predetermined point, the device will be operated as soon as the pressure returns.

A further object is to provide a flushing device which is of highly simplified construction, durable in use and cheap to manufacture. e

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same- Figure l is a perspective of the improved (iusl lng device installed, a part of the tank being broken away.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view illustrating a valve embodied in the invention, the view also illustrating a portion of the operating means for the valve.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the fiushing device, the same being shown in its Siphoning position in full lines and in its tank filling position in dotted lines.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating the connection between the float 1922. Serial No. 556,338.

arm and a valve operating link embodied in a slightly modified form of invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a slightly modified form of invention, certain of the parts being shown in section.

ltigure` 6 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating a slightly modified form of invention.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating a further modified form of the invention.

As the result of prolonged use of a large numberof fiushing devices constructed in accordance withY my prior patents in this art, I have found that the same do not operate successfully on the upper floors of a building, due to the low pressure of water on these floors and I have therefore designed the invention formingthe subject matter of this application to operate successfully on the upper floors of a building or in other places where'the pressure is not high.

In carrying out the invention, I provide a valve 10 having a depending attaching nippie 11 which is passed through the bottom of the tank 12 and is rigidly secured in position by means of a nut 13 and a flange 14, the flange 11i being' formed integral with the nipple and the nut 13 being threaded on the nipple and engaging the underside of the tank whereby to securely hold the valve in position.

*igures 1 and 2 plainly illustrate that the valve is secured to the bottom of the tank and is adapted for connection with a water supply pipe 16. It will be observed that the valve casing 10 is provided with upper and lower outlet ports 17 and 18, the upper port 17 having connection with a siphen-priming nozzle 19 while the lower port 18 is extended to form an outlet pipe 20. It might be stated that the outlet pipe 2O forms a passage for the water used in refilling the tank.

The discharge of water from the valve 10 is controlled by means of a vertically movabie valve 22 and a second valve 23 which is slidable through the terminal portion of the tank filling pipe in the manner illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Vhen the parts are in their normal positions the valve 23 assumes the position illustrated in Figure 2 andthe valve 22 is seated. It is thus sccn that when the apparatus is not in action water is positively prevented from passing through the valve casing and when the apparatus is iirst set in action the valve 23 is lowered and the valve 22 is elevated whereby the water is caused to pass through the siphoning primer 19 so as to e-i'iiciently prime the siphon 26. It will be seen that the entire torce ot the water is directed to the primer 19 so as to bring about an e'iiicient and rapid siphoning and flushing action. The valve 22 is slidable through the upper part of the valve casing 10 and is guided thereby and by an inwardly extending internal shoulder 28. Incidentally when the plug 22 begins its return movement the siphon primer 19 is Erst cut oli and then the supply et water to the tank iilling pipe 20 is cut oil?.

The valve 22 is operated by means of a lever movable through a transverse slot 31 in the stein 32 of the valve and one end of the lever 30 is pivoted to a bracket 33 rigidly secured to the valve 10. The other end of the lever 30 is pivoted as indicated at 34 to a pair of vertical links 35. The links 35 are in turn pivoted as indicated at 37 to the lower branch 39 oit a main actuating lever 40. Figure l illustrates that the main actuating lever 40 is pivoted at a point adjacent its lower end to astationary bracket 41 preferably cast with the valve casing.

It will be seen that when the main actuating lever 4() is swung to the right, the lever '30 will be elevated so as tov elevate the valve 22 and thereby permit the water to flow through the siphon primer 19 and subsequently through the tank filling pipe 20.

The main actuating lever 40 islprovided with a longitudinal slot 43 to slidably receive the laterally projecting lug 44 of an actuating arm 45. The actuating arm 45 is adjustably connected to a F-coupling 46 through the medium ot a set screw 47, and the T-coupling 46 is in turn secured on one end of a handle 48. lt will be seen that when the handle 48 is depressed or moved in a counter clock-wise direction, the arm 45 will also be moved so as to swing the lmain actuating lever' and thereby elevate the valve 22. However, the arm 45 may be adjusted in its connection with the handle 48 and the main actuating lever- 40 so that the throw of the main actuating lever may be varied.

The main actuating lever 40 has rigid conrnection with a float arm 50' upon one end of which is the usual float 51. Ot course, as the level of the water rises in the tank, the ball valve 51 is elevated so as to swing the llever 40 to the left and consequently return the valve 22 to its seated position for cutting oil the supply of water to the tank.

The vertically movable valve 23 is lowered during the priming of the siphon by means ot a lever 55 connected to 'the valve 23 as indicated at 56. One end of the lever 55 is weighted as indicated at 58 and is connected to a link 59 which, is pulled upwardly so as to move the valve 23 downwardly and consequently prevent the flow of water through the pipe 20 during the priming of the siphon. As illustrated in Figure 1 the upper end 'of the link 59 is provided with a yoke 60 slidable on the main actuating lever 40 and adapted to engage a stop lug 61 on the upper end of the main actuating lever. A

l/Jhen the handle 48 is first depressed or Yswung downwardly, the arm 45 is swung upwardly into engagement with the yoke so as to elevate the link 59 and consequently move the valve 23 downwardly to the fullv lineposition illustrated'in Figure 3. `When the arm 45 is thus swung upwardly, the lateral projection 44 on the end ot' the. same is received in the diagonal branch 66 of the vertical slot 43 and the buoyancy of the float 51 will urge the main actuating lever 40 to the left, whereby the lateral projection 44 is temporarily locked in the branch 66. In other words when the'handle 48 is lirst swung downwardly the `lloat 51 will be forced downwardly beneath the level of the water so tl at the same occupies the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. l3, and as the float is possessed at a high degree of buoyancy it will urge the lever `to the lett so that the lateral projection 44 is locked in the diagonal branch 66. This temporarily holds the yoke GO in an elevated position and consequentlyholds the valve 23 in its lowermost position for directing all of the water through the priming jet 19 and into the short branch of the siphon.

However, as the water level in the tank drops due to the discharge of the water l through the siphon the float will drop be lyond the point to which it has been forced and consequently the lateral projection v44 of the arm 45 is free to drop back into the vertical slot 43. Therefore the yoke 60 will immediately drop and permit the weight 58 to return the valve 23 to its open position as illustrated in Figure 2. All of this occurs during (the discharge of the water from the tank and 'it will be seen that the water iirst passesrthrough the jet 19 and through the siphon for priming the same and l after this the water asses throuo'h the )ine e l i 2O for refilling the tank.

As the tank is refilled, the float 51 is elevated for swinging the lever 40 to the left and consequently gradually closing the valve 22. However, the valve 22 is not closed until a` sufficient quantity of water has been supplied to the siphon for providing the bowl with what is known as an after fill, which after iill effectively seals the bowl. In other words, during the refilling of the tank by way of the pipe 2O a small quantity oi water is supplied to the siphon 26 by way ot the pipe 19 and this water lll) ' which is supplied to the siphon during the reiilling of the tank is supplied to the bowl to provide the desired after ll. That is to say l a quantity of water is supplied .to the bowl after the flushing action and this wate-r effectively seals the bowl for preventing the escape of sewer gas. Attention is directed to the fact that the upper end of the stem 32 is arranged direct- 1y beneath the lever 55 and rather close to the pivot point 69 of the same so that when the yoke- 60 is released the lever 55 will drop onto the stem and reduce the noise to a minimum. That is to say the drop of the lever 55 will not be accompanied by an objectionable noise as the stem 32 will engage the lever at a point close to its pivot.

Figure 1 illustrates that the priming jet 19 may be adjustably connected to the valve casing 10 by means of a set screw 70. The priming jet 19 may be made considerably longer than is necessary and may be subsequently cut to the proper size so that the outlet end of the same will discharge L centrally into the siphon.

As further illustrated in Figure 1 a set screw 71 is threaded into the lower portion of the valve casing 10 and forms means whereby the cross sectional area of the port 18 may be varied in accordance with the pressure of the water.

In use the improved flushing apparatus operates under an extremely low pressure and in case pressure is temporarily lost due to the simultaneous discharge of water at several other places in the building the apparatus will operate when the pressure returns, provided of course the handle 48 has been previously depressed. That is to say if the handle 48 is depressed at a time when there is no pressure behind the water the apparatus will operate as soon as the pressure returns.

The interior of the T-member 46 and the end of the handle 48 may be provided with longitudinal intertitting ribs by means of which the handle may be adjusted in a horizontal position.

In the form ot the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 the inlet valve is designated by the numeral and is provided with an attaching stem or branch 81 which is extended through the bottom of the. tank. The branch 80 may be provided on one side of the tank 82 with a flange 83 and on the other side with a nut 84 by means of which the valve may be securely held in position.

In carrying out the invention, the npper side ot the valve casing 80 is provided with a long upstanding branch 86 to receive the valve 87 adapted to engage a seat 88 within the casing.

Figure 5 illustrates that the upper portion of the valve 87 is arranged exteriorly of the branch 86 and is provided with a slotted head 89 which freely receives a lever 90 connected to a stationary bracket 91 aS indicated at 92. The link 93 is also connected to a main actuating lever or float arm 94 pivoted as indicated at 95 to a bracket 96. The float arm 94 is in turn connected to a float 98 through the medium o1? an atjustable connecting member 97 which permits the float 98 to be adjusted with relation to the arm 94 whereby the supply oi water may be cut ofi' early or late. It is believed to be obvious that when the float. arm 94 is forced downwardly, as will be later described, the lever 90 is iorced upwardly so as to permit water to enter the tank. On the other hand as the level of the water in the tank raises the float 98 will elevate the float arm 94 and thereby gradually close the valve 87.

rlhe discharge of water from the valve casing 80 is controlled by means of a secondary valve 100 slidable through upper and lower ports 101 and 102, the port 101 having communication with a priming jet 108 which directs the priming water into the Siphon 104.

The lower port 102 supplies the water to lill the tank and when the valve 100 is in its lowerinost position as illustrated in Fig. 5 the transverse port 106 in the valve 100 is in communication with the port or passage 102 so as to allow the water to pass directly into the tank. On the other hand when the valve 100 is in its elevated position as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 5 the port 106 is in communication with the priming port101 so that water will be passed through the priins ing jet 103. It will be observed that when the valve 100 is elevated the lower portion of the saine will completely close the port 102 so that all the water is directed through the jet. This occurs only during the priming of the siphon. During the vfilling of the tank a quantity of water is passed through the after till pipe 169 for providing a water seal in the bowl.

The valve 100 which is weighted as indicated at 108 is pivotally connected to links 109 which are in turn pivoted to a lever 110. The lever 110 is connected to a link 111 which includes upper and lower sections slidably connected in the manner illustrated in Figure 4.

The upper section of the link 111 is designated by the numeral 112 and is ot U- shaped formation and has its bight portion formed with an opening to receive the lower portion of the link. A nut`113 is threaded onto the link 111 and regulates the effective length of the link.

The upper portion of the section 112 is pivotally connected to a main actuating lever 114 through the medium of a pivotbolt 115 and with reference to Figx it will be observed that the main actuating lever 114 is pivoted intermediate its ends: as indicated at 118 to the bracket 91. A flexible element 120 is Connected to the main lever 114 and when the flexible element is drawn npwardly the link 111 will be moved downwardly so as to elevate the valve 100 and as previously stated when the valve 100 is elevated to occupy the dotted line position in Figure 5 the priming of the siphon is started.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate that the pivot bolt 115 engages the float arm 94 as the float `arm is confined between the sides ot the U- shaped section 112.

1n operation the flexible element 120 is operated. so as to swing the main actuating lever 114 in a counter clock-wise direction. When the lever 114 is thus operated the link 111 is forced downwardly so as to swing the valve 100 upwardly and thereby permit the water to pass into the Siphon by way of the jet 103. However, when the main operating lever 114 is swung about the axis 118 the .pivot bolt 115 will engage the float arm 94 and thereby swing the saine downwardly against the buoyancy otl the ball 98. As the float arm 94 is swung downwardly the pivot bolt 115 will ride along lthe inclined'upper edge 350 ot the float arm and the pivot bolt will then engage a locking shoulder 121 formed on the float arm. lVhen the pivot bolt- 115 is locked in engagement with the shoulder 121 the 'l'loat arm will be locked downwardly and consequently the valve 87 will be held iu an elevated position even while the water in the tank is at a highlevel.

However, as the water is discharged from v'the tank and the level drops, the float arm 94 will drop below the point at which it was locked and the link 111 will therefore be released. lVhen the link 111 isthus released, the weight 108 will return the valve 100 to its seated position so that the water which is supplied through the valve casing'80 will refill the tank.

In use the parts normally occupy'the position illustrated in full lines in Figure 5 and when the flexible element 120 is operated 'the valve 87 will be unseated and the valve 100 will he simultaneously elevated so that all the water will be directed into-the siphon forpriming the same and when the water drops to the level at which the tloat is locked the link 111 will be released so as to permit Vthe valve 100 to return to its original posifigure, 10o

'.tatable isprovided withwacraiik 155 which isadapted for connection with a link 156 by means of which it is operated. It desired, a suitable vent pipe 158 is connected to the port 151 and theivent-pipe will in that case I ,crank 162 which is connected to an operating link 168.

In this case the outlet port has communication with the main valve `as iii-the other i'iorins of the invention and a siphon priming jet may oe employed it desired. It a Siphon priming jet is employed it may be connected to the main valve, as in Figure 1.

In carrying out .the invention the after-till pipe 169 is extended intofthe top ot the vent pipe 170 and 'discharges the water 'for the after-till into Vthe pipe 170.V It will be observed that the upper end ofthe pipe 170 is more or less z-tunnelv shaped. This permits the pipe 170 to admit a quantity of air to facilitate the siphoning action.

Having thus 'described the invention, what 4said second .valve and'provided with ayoke slidable on-'saidnmain actuating lever, and an actuating handle having an armslidable 'in said slot and adapted to be receivedwithinsaid diagonal branch andto engage said yoke whereby to lock the yoke in an elevated position.

2. A flushing tank comprising a valve,

.tank lilling and siphon priming means associated withsaid valve, a" main actuating .lever having connection with said valve andiprovided with a longitudinal slotv having a diag- -onal branch, a'second valve for controlling said tank lling means, a lever connectedto saidl second named valve having one end weighted, a link connected' to the weighted end ot said lever and provided with a yoke slidable on said main actuating lever, and an operating handle having an arm slidable in said slot and adapted to engage said yoke for operating saidvalve, said arm beino'iadapted to be received within the diagonal'v branch of said slot whereby to lockthe'yokefin anv elevated position.

8.1/51 flushing tank comprising 'a valve, tank filling and siphon priming means associated with said valve,armain .actuating lever having connect-ion withV said valve and:

provided with a llongitudinal slot having a diagonal branch, a secondA valve tor controlling said tank filling means, alever connected to said second named valve having one end Weighted, a link connected to the Weighted end ot said lever and provided with a yoke slidable on said main actuating lever, an operating handle having an arm slidable in said slot and adapted to engage said yoke for operating said valve, said arm being adapted to be received Within the diagonal branch of said slot Whereby to lock the yoke in an elevated position, and a float arm rigidly connected to said main actuating lever and having a iioat urging said main actuating lever into locking engagement with said arm whereby to temporarily lock the yoke in its elevated position.

4. A. iiushing apparatus comprising a valve, a main actuating lever having connection with the valve and provided with a longitudinal slot having a diagonal branch, a second valve associated with the iirst named valve, a lever connected to the second named valve and pivotally supported intermediate its ends, a link connected to said second named valve and having a yoke slidable on said main actuating lever, and an operating member slidable in said slot and adapted to engage and elevate said yoke whereby to operate said second named valve, and a float arm rigidly connected to said main actuating lever and having a float adapted to urge said lever into locking engagement with the operating member when said member is in the diagonal branch of said slot, second named lever being adapted to engage said iirst named valve adjacent the pivot point ot the second named lever Whereby to reduce the noise.

5. A flushing apparatus comprising a valve Acasing having an inlet opening, a valve seat and priming and tank filling ports, a valve slidably associated with said casing and adapted for controlling the passage of Water through the casing, a lever connected to said valve, links connected to said lever, a main actuating lever connected to said links and having a longitudinal slot provided With a diagonal branch, a float arm rigidly connected to said main actuating lever and having a. float, a second valve controlling the tank lling ports, a bracket Connected to said valve casing, a second lever pivoted to said bracket and having connection With said second named valve, one end ot said second named lever being Weighted, a link connected to the Weighted end of said second named lever and having a yoke slidable on said main actuating lever, an operating handle having an arm provided vvith a projection received in said slot, said projection being adapted for movement into said diagonal branch and also: being adapted to elevate said yoke, said float being adapted to urge the actuating lever in one direction for temporarily locking the actuating lever to said lateral projection and for temporarily locking the yoke in an elevated position, and a priming jet connected to said priming means.

6. A flushing apparatus comprising a valve casing having an inlet opening, a valve seat and priming and tank iilling ports, a valve slidably associated with said casing and adapted tor controlling the passage ot Water through the casing, a lever connected to said valve, links connected to said lever, a main actuating lever connected to said links and having a longitudinal slot provided With a diagonal branch, a float arm rigidly connected to said main actuatlever and having a `float, a second valve controlling the tank filling ports, a bracket connected to said valve casing, a second lever pivoted to said bracket and having connection With said second named valve, one end of said second named lever being Weighted, a link connected to the Weighted end of said second named lever and having a yoke slidable on said main actuating lever, an operating handle having an arm provided with a projection received in said slot, said projection being adapted for movement into said diagonal branch and also being adapted to elevate said yoke, said itloat being adapted to urge the actuating lever in one direction tor temporarily locking the actuating lever to said lateral projection and for temporarily locking the yoke in an elevated position, and a priming jet connected to said priming means, said rst named valve being arranged in the path of travel of said second named lever at a point adjacent the pivot point of the same, and being adapted to limit the swinging movement of the lever.

NICHOLAS JOSEPH GONDOLF. 

